Lost Gardens of Heligan sees bee population increase

Staff at the Lost Gardens of Heligan are seeing an increased number of bees and butterflies as a result of its new wildflower meadows planted earlier this year.

With the loss of Britain’s wildflower meadows and grasslands estimated at around 98 per cent, Heligan says its initiative is a step towards counteracting the decreased population of insects vital to the pollination of fruits and vegetables, which have disappeared, in part, due to the increased use of herbicides.

Heligan is also working with the Roseland Bee Group and B4 in the protection of the Cornish black honey bee which is proving to be more varroa mite resistant than its European cousins and less affected by our wetter climate.

The Cornish black bees arrived in their hives from the Roseland Bee Group last week and are sure to be taking advantage of the wealth of nectar now on their doorstep.

“The Heligan Estate is the perfect place to show off the beauty of native wildflowers as well as providing a very valuable nectar source for our pollinating insects,” said Jim Briggs, Heligan’s estate manager.

“We hope that in the near future we will be able bring the public closer to bees, their lives and their importance within our world. Our pollinating insects really are one of the keys to our survival, as well as fascinating creatures.”